The long-gestating adaptation of David Ebershoff’s novel, The Danish Girl, is picking up speed as The Rum Diary star Amber Heard is now in negotiations for a role. Per Deadline, Heard is in the running for a “strong supporting” part, which if all goes to plan, will see her performing opposite Eddie Redmayne (The Theory Of Everything) and Alicia Vikander (The Fifth Estate).
Published in 2000, the novel reimagines the story of real-life artist, Einar Wegener (Redmayne), and his wife Gerda (Vikander). In 1930 Wegener opted to undergo gender reassignment surgery, and emerged as one of the first men to ever seek the experimental procedure. Ebershoff’s novel examines the couple’s life following Wegener’s transition to Lili Elbe, and it strikes us as the perfect material for a big screen reworking. If Heard signs on, she’ll be tackling the meatier supporting part of Oona.
After the project stalled over at Nicole Kidman’s production arm, Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner took over the property. The Oscar-winning combination of Bevan, Fellner and director Tom Hooper secured Redmayne back in April, and Vikander not long after as the couple at the crux of the plot. The behind-the-camera trio previously won scores of critical acclaim for their compelling work on The King’s Speech and Les Miserables. With man-of-the-hour Redmayne in the lead, this could be another worthy wards season contender.
We’ll keep you posted when Heard’s involvement is confirmed, and of course any other news relating to Working Title’s production of The Danish Girl. For now, though, tell us, do the casting choices so far appeal to you? Let us know as ever in the comments below.